JP5412467B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral usually has a controller that controls a print engine. There is a technique in which an external controller is connected to such an image forming apparatus, an image signal is generated by the external controller, supplied to a print engine of the image forming apparatus, and printing is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a signal conversion device is provided between the external controller and the print engine, and electrical signals are converted between the external controller and the print engine.

JP-A-9-321920

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, since the format of the electrical signal is simply converted, processing dependent on the print engine needs to be performed by an external controller. Since the specifications of the print engine vary depending on the model of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to design an optional controller such as an external controller for each type of print engine, and the development burden of a system that can use the optional controller is large.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus for reducing a development burden of a system that can use an option controller.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be connected to a print engine that performs printing based on raster image data, a main controller that executes processing depending on the print engine, and an option controller that generates raster image data, Raster image data is received from the option controller and stored in the memory, and a control command based on the result of the processing dependent on the print engine is received from the main controller, and the raster image data is read from the memory according to the control command and read. A relay device that supplies raster image data to the print engine. The main controller receives control information from the option controller via the network interface, generates a control command from the control information corresponding to the raster image data supplied from the relay apparatus to the print engine, and supplies the control command to the print engine. .

  As a result, processing that depends on the print engine is executed on the main controller, so there is no need to design an option controller for each type of print engine, and it is only necessary to adapt the control on the main controller to the print engine. The development burden of a system that can be used is reduced.

  In addition to the image forming apparatus described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the main controller executes at least one of page handling at the time of double-sided printing, page handling at the time of printing the number of copies, page handling at the time of using the finisher, and print error processing as processing dependent on the print engine.

In addition to the image forming apparatus described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the main controller can supply raster image data and a control command corresponding to the raster image data to the print engine, and the option controller generates raster image data and control information from the print request .

  As a result, the control of the print engine and the handling of the image data based on the print control information are performed by the main controller, so the development burden of the relay device is reduced.

  In addition to the image forming apparatus described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the main controller is connected to the relay device via an internal bus, and controls the relay device based on the control information via the internal bus.

  Accordingly, since the relay device is controlled by the main controller, the processing by the relay device can be made to correspond to the print engine by making the control of the relay device by the main controller correspond to the print engine. For this reason, the development burden of the relay device is reduced.

  According to the present invention, the development burden of a system that can use an optional controller is reduced.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus and a relay apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating print processing using an option controller in the image forming system shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a relay apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming system illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 1, a host apparatus 2, and an option controller 3. The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus having a printing function such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral. The host device 2 is a terminal device such as a personal computer in which a driver for the image forming apparatus 1 and a driver for the option controller 3 are installed. The option controller 3 is a device that generates raster image data based on a print request addressed to the option controller 3. The network 4 is a computer network such as an in-house LAN (Local Area Network).

  The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to an option controller 3, and the option controller 3 is connected to a network 4. The host device 2 is connected to the network 4. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a network 4 via a network hub in the option controller 3, and the image forming apparatus 1, the host apparatus 2, and the option controller 3 exist on the same network.

  The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 includes a print engine 11, a scan engine 12, a panel unit 13, and a main controller 14. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a relay device 15.

  The print engine 11 performs printing based on the raster image data. The print engine 11 performs screen processing and the like on the raster image data, and performs printing by controlling the printing mechanism based on the processed data. For example, an electrophotographic printing mechanism forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum with an exposure device, develops the electrostatic latent image with a developing device, and applies the developed toner image directly or indirectly to printing paper. The transferred toner image is fixed on the printing paper by a fixing device. The print engine 11 performs printing by controlling the exposure apparatus and the like.

  The scan engine 12 controls the image reading mechanism to optically read a document image and generate image data.

  The panel unit 13 includes a display device and an input device, and functions as a user interface. As the display device, for example, a liquid crystal display is used, and as the input device, for example, a touch panel is used.

  The main controller 14 controls internal devices such as the print engine 11, the scan engine 12, and the panel unit 13, and performs various data processing. For example, the main controller 14 outputs raster image data and a control command corresponding to the raster image data to the print engine 11. Further, the main controller 14 is connected to the relay device 15 via an internal bus, and controls the relay device 15 based on the control information via the internal bus.

  The main controller 14 includes a network interface 21, a data processing unit 22, an arithmetic processing device 23, a control interface 24, and an image interface 25.

  The network interface 21 is a data communication device of a predetermined standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The network interface 21 is connected to the option controller 3.

  The data processing unit 22 acquires image data from the scan engine 12, outputs image data to the print engine 11, and executes various processes on the image data. The data processing unit 22 is realized as, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The arithmetic processing unit 23 is a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and loads a program from a storage device, a ROM (not shown) into the RAM. Execute and implement various processing units. In the arithmetic processing unit 23, a job management unit 31, a print control unit 32, and a relay control unit 33 are realized.

  The job management unit 31 receives job requests from the host device 2 and the option controller 3 and executes the received jobs in order.

  The print control unit 32 controls the data processing unit 22 to cause the print engine 11 to output a control command and raster image data. For example, in the case of a copy job, the print control unit 32 controls the data processing unit 22 to acquire raster image data from the scan engine 12 and performs necessary image processing on the raster image data. The raster image data is output to the print engine 11.

  The relay control unit 33 supplies a control command corresponding to control information received from the option controller 3 via the network interface 21 to the image data transfer unit 43 of the relay device 15 via the internal bus. 43 causes the raster image data to be output. Further, the relay control unit 33 generates a control command from the control information corresponding to the raster image data supplied from the relay device 15 to the print engine, and the print engine 11 via the data processing unit 22 and the control interface 24. Output to.

  Further, when a printing error such as a jam, paper feed delay, or paper error occurs, the relay control unit 33 notifies the occurrence of a printing error (and error type) from the print engine 11 via the control interface 24 and the data processing unit 22. , And a control command (such as output stop of raster image data) for executing print error processing according to the occurrence of the print error is supplied to the image data transfer unit 43. When the return from the print error is completed, the relay control unit 33 receives a print error return notification from the print engine 11 via the control interface 24 and the data processing unit 22, and responds to the return of the print error. A print error process is executed, and a control command for restarting output of raster image data is supplied to the image data transfer unit 43.

  Further, the relay control unit 33 performs processing dependent on the print engine 11 and outputs a control command based on the processing result to the image data transfer unit 43. As processing dependent on the print engine 11, there are page handling at the time of duplex printing, page handling at the time of printing the number of copies, page handling at the time of using the finisher, printing error processing, and the like. For page handling during duplex printing, reverse output of raster image data (page inversion), insertion of a blank blank page, and the like are performed. Raster image data is repeatedly output as page handling when printing the number of copies. As the page handling when using the finisher, the page order is changed according to the mode such as stapling or automatic folding.

  In addition, the relay control unit 33 outputs raster image data in reverse order (page inversion), dummy blank page insertion, repeated output when printing multiple copies, page order according to duplex printing setting, number of copies setting, finisher setting, etc. Make changes.

  Further, the relay control unit 33 supplies a control command to the image data transfer unit 43 in response to the occurrence and recovery of the printing error, and stops and restarts the raster image data output.

  The control interface 24 in the main controller 14 is an interface for transmitting control commands to and from the print engine 11. The image interface 25 is an interface for transmitting image data to and from the print engine 11.

  The relay device 15 connected to the main controller 14 includes an interface 41 that can be connected to the option controller 3, a memory 42 that temporarily stores raster image data, an image data transfer unit 43, and an image interface 44. .

  The memory 42 stores raster image data received by the interface 41 from the option controller 3. The memory 42 has a capacity capable of storing raster image data for a predetermined number of pages.

  The image data transfer unit 43 reads the raster image data from the memory 42 according to the control command from the relay control unit 33 and outputs the read raster image data to the print engine 11. The image data transfer unit 43 is realized by, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

  The image interface 44 is an interface for transmitting image data to and from the print engine 11.

  1 has a network interface 51 and an arithmetic processing unit 52.

  The network interface 51 is connected to the network 4 and is a data communication device of a predetermined standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The arithmetic processing unit 52 is a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and loads and executes a program from a storage device, a ROM, etc. (not shown) to the RAM, and implements various processing units. In the arithmetic processing unit 52, a driver 61, an option driver 62, and the like are realized.

  The driver 61 is a driver for the image forming apparatus 1 and controls the image forming apparatus 1 from a remote location. The option driver 62 is a driver for the option controller 3 and transmits a print request to the option controller 3.

  1 includes a network hub 71, a network interface 72, a control unit 73, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 74, and an interface 75.

  The network hub 71 is connected to the external network 4 and to the external image forming apparatus 1. The network interface 72 is connected to the network hub 71 and is a data communication device of a predetermined standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The control unit 73 receives a print request (PDL (Page Description Language) data) via the network interface 72, extracts control information from the print request, and causes the RIP unit 74 to generate raster image data from the print request. The control unit 73 transmits the extracted control information as a job request to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network interface 72. This control information includes double-sided printing settings (double-sided printing or single-sided printing), consolidated printing settings (setting of the number of original pages to be printed per page of printing paper), finisher settings, paper source and paper discharge Includes previous settings.

  The RIP unit 74 generates raster image data from the print request. The interface 75 outputs raster image data generated by the RIP unit 74.

  Next, a printing process in the image forming system will be described. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating print processing using an option controller in the image forming system shown in FIG.

  The option driver 62 of the host device 2 generates a print request that is PDL data, and transmits the print request to the option controller 3 through the network interface 51 (step S1). The print request is transmitted to the network interface 72 of the option controller 3 via the network hub 71. The control unit 73 receives the print request at the network interface 72.

  The control unit 73 of the option controller 3 extracts control information from the print request, and transmits the control information of the print request to the main controller 14 through the network interface 72 (step S2). That is, print request control information is transmitted from the option controller 3 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network. This control information includes double-sided printing settings, aggregated printing settings, finisher settings, paper source and paper discharge destination settings, and the like.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the print request control information is received by the network interface 21, and the job management unit 31 receives the print request control information as a print request from the option controller 3. Then, the job management unit 31 manages a job corresponding to the control information (step S3).

  On the other hand, in the option controller 3, the control unit 73 causes the RIP unit 74 to generate raster image data from the print request (step S4). The raster image data generated by the RIP unit 74 is transmitted to the relay device 15 through the interface 75 and stored in the memory 42 of the relay device 15 (step S5).

  When the job management unit 31 starts job execution, the job management unit 31 transmits a job execution notification to the control unit 73 via the network. When the job execution notification is received, the control unit 73 receives a raster image from the RIP unit 74. Data generation and transmission of raster image data to the relay device 15 may be performed.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the job management unit 31 causes the relay control unit 33 to execute a job related to a print request from the option controller 3. The relay control unit 33 transmits a control command based on the control information received by the job management unit 31 to the print engine 11 via the control interface 24 (step S6), performs processing based on the control information, and the processing result Is sent to the image data transfer unit 43 of the relay device 15 (step S7). When receiving the control command, the image data transfer unit 43 of the relay device 15 outputs the raster image data stored in the memory 42 to the print engine 11 through the image interface 44 in accordance with the control command (step S8).

  The print engine 11 performs predetermined processing such as screen processing on the raster image data (step S9), and executes printing by controlling the printing mechanism based on the control command from the main controller 14 and the processed data. (Step S10).

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the main controller 14 executes processing that depends on the print engine 11. The relay device 15 receives the raster image data from the option controller 3 and stores it in the memory 42, receives a control command based on the processing result depending on the print engine 11 from the main controller 14, and from the memory 42 according to the control command. Raster image data is read, and the read raster image data is supplied to the print engine 11.

  As a result, when printing is performed using the option controller 3, the main controller 14 executes processing dependent on the print engine 11, so there is no need to design an option controller for each type of the print engine 11, and the main controller 14 Therefore, the burden of developing a system that can use the option controller 3 is reduced. Further, when developing a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses, by changing the main controller 14, the same option controller 3 can be used for a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses.

  The above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the option controller 3 is an external controller separate from the image forming apparatus 1, but the option controller 3 may be built in the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, in the above embodiment, a web server is provided in the control unit 73 of the option controller 3 and a web browser is realized in the arithmetic processing unit 23 of the main controller 14, and the screen is displayed from the web server of the control unit 73 with the web browser. Data (web page data or the like) may be acquired, and an operation screen of the option controller 3 may be displayed on the panel unit 13 based on the screen data.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with a document box function. In this case, at the time of box printing, the data processing unit 22 converts the image data stored in the document box into raster image data, and outputs the raster image data to the print engine 11. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with a facsimile communication function. In this case, when printing a document received by facsimile, the data processing unit 22 converts the image data received and stored by facsimile into raster image data, and outputs the raster image data to the print engine 11.

  The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming system to which an optional controller can be added.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Option controller 11 Print engine 14 Main controller 15 Relay apparatus 41 Interface 42 Memory 43 Image data transfer part

Claims (4)

A print engine that performs printing based on raster image data;
A main controller that executes processing dependent on the print engine;
It is connectable to an option controller that generates raster image data, receives the raster image data from the option controller, stores it in a memory, and sends a control command based on the result of processing dependent on the print engine from the main controller. receiving, reading the raster image data from said memory in accordance with said control commands, the raster image data read out and a relay device for supplying to said print engine,
The main controller receives control information from the option controller via a network interface, generates the control command from the control information in response to raster image data supplied from the relay device to the print engine, and Supplying to the print engine,
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The main controller executes at least one of page handling at the time of duplex printing, page handling at the time of printing copies, page handling at the time of using a finisher, and print error processing as processing dependent on the print engine. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The main controller can supply raster image data and control commands corresponding to the raster image data to the print engine,
The option controller Rukoto forming raw said raster image data and the control information from the print request,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the main controller is connected to the relay apparatus via an internal bus, and controls the relay apparatus based on the control information via the internal bus.

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